Chris Mark & Heather Mark in Feb 2013 TransactionWorld February 1, 2013
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: AT&T, Chris Mark, cybercrime, cybersecurity, Heather Mark, Maritime Security, PCI, risk management, somali pirates
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February’s edition of TransactionWorld was released today and both Chris and Heather have articles in the issue. Chris (that is me) wrote “Security in Dangerous Waters; Pirates & CyberCrime” while Heather wrote “Shifting Targets; Dealing with Regulatory Shifts in Data Security & Privacy”. Please be sure to check out the articles..
“Ruh Roh!…Google did it again!” – Admits it did not delete ‘streetview data’. July 27, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: google, google streetview, ICO, Maritime Security, MSNBC, streetview
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I what can only be described as an absolute shock (catch my sardonic humor?)…Google has now admitted that it did not delete “… all the personal data, such as emails, its Street View cars collected in Britain and other countries in 2010.”
According to MSNBC:
“The failure to comply with a promise to delete all the data was notified to Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which said the fact that the data still existed appeared to breach an undertaking signed by Google in November 2010. (more…)
“Use of Force” Webcast – Nexus Consulting Group May 16, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Laws and Leglslation, terrorism, weapons and tactics.Tags: Keving Doherty, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, nexus consulting, security, somali pirates, Use of Force
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Nexus Consulting Group is scheduling a webcast for the week of May 21- 25 on the topic of the Use of Force in Maritime Security. Recently, a video surfaced of a maritime security company firing on Somali Pirates. While the topic has been debated, Nexus was mistakenly identified as the company that took action. If you are interested in learning about Use of Force and the legal issues, then contact Nexus at info@ncga.us and note your interest in attending the webcast and we will advise which sessions are available. You can download the Use of Force Primer and follow along document here.
Having previously worked for a maritime security company, I felt pretty informed on the Use of Force and Maritime issues. After speaking to Kevin on numerous occasions, it was apparent that Kevin is an expert on Maritime Security and the industry at large. I always come away from a discussion with Kevin impressed and having learned something new about maritime security. Any knuckle-dragger can carry a gun and use it indiscriminately. It is appropriate, disciplined use of a weapon that separates professional security from amateurs. There are few security companies that I would recommend and that have the expertise to protect ships while minimizing risk to ship owners. Use of force is an critical yet complex subject. I recommend you take the opportunity to listen to an expert on maritime security and definitely take the opportunity to ask questions.
Random Thoughts On Piracy Summit (I have to talk about guns a little ;) May 1, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management.Tags: Anti Piracy, armed security, Chris Mark, combating piracy week, Maritime Security, markconsultinggroup.com, Scout Sniper, security, weapons
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In reflecting upon the Piracy Europe even in Hamburg that I attended last week, I was struck by a few things that were said and proposed. The speakers were generally very good although the material is getting a bit old at this point. With piracy at near 2007 levels, security vendors are scrambling to convince shipping companies that they are still needed. Selling on Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) seems to be the new way of business development.
With regard to the security vendors, there appeared to be two distinct perspectives on how to stop pirates. Neither seemed appropriate. One company had a rep get up and show a picture of himself with a Barrett .50 cal SASR (special application scoped rifle) (shown in the pic above with the very skilled, handsome and smart USMC Sniper..yeah its me). The intimation was that if you have larger guns, you have more ‘firepower’ and thus better security. This is a very simplistic way of thinking about security and demonstrates one of the challenges of maritime security. Security is not about technology…it is about people, strategies, and tactics. Tools (such as weapons) are useful but only if employed correctly. You can read the whitepaper “weapons and tactics in the prevention of piracy” here. This “goons with guns” approach was not well received and quite frankly, I felt it perpetuated what the attendees think of American security…knuckle-dragging, goons with guns. Blackwater is alive and well in the minds of most of those who attended the event. (more…)
SAMI Accredidation?…Check before you believe… April 30, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Laws and Leglslation, Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Accredidation, Chris Mark, Maritime Security, membership, Piracy Europe, SAMI
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I am recently back from speaking an an anti-piracy event in Hamburg, Germany. Overall, it was a good conference but I was struck by one particular company that was strongly advertising that they were SAMI Accredited. I thought this claim merited some investigation and it would allow me to understand what, exactly, it means to be SAMI Accredited. First…here is the list of accredited PSMCs through SAMI. The Security Administration for the Maritime Industry or SAMI is a: “a global organisation representing companies working in maritime security and related industries. SAMI has introduced a level of compliance and scrutiny to ensure that the maritime industry can easily identify reputable private maritime security companies. SAMI provides reassurance, guidance, and minimum quality and standards in the delivery of maritime security where none has existed before. The SAMI Standard has been established as the international benchmark for standards within the industry. The Association is an international non -governmental organisation (NGO), which exists to facilitate clear dialogue and a common standards framework in the delivery of maritime security products to the shipping community.” As a membership organization anyone that is a signatory on the ICOC can join SAMI as a ‘member’. This does not mean you are accredited. After joining SAMI a company may then volunteer to participate in the 3 step SAMI Accreditation Programme. According to the SAMI website: (more…)
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